Thousands of Passengers Left Isolated Across Asia Including China, Tibet, and More as Air China, Sichuan, Shandong, and Other Airlines Lead the Wave of 797 Delays and 60 Cancellations, Causing Travel Headaches in Chengdu, Lhasa, Wuhai, and Others

Published on November 24, 2025

In a massive disruption that’s shaking up China’s travel scene, Air China, China Express, Sichuan Airlines, Shandong Airlines, Tibet Airlines, and Shanghai Airlines have led the way with over 50 flight cancellations across key routes. Thousands of passengers are stuck at airports, scrambling for solutions. This extensive flight chaos has affected major airports in Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu, and smaller regional hubs like Lhasa, Guiyang, Wuhai, causing long delays and inconvenience for travellers. Are you one of them? Here’s everything you need to know about the cancellations, their causes, and how to handle the situation.

Air China’s Cancellations – Are You Affected?

Air China is at the forefront of this major disruption, cancelling flights across both major and regional routes. With its significant role in China’s aviation network, these cancellations have caused massive delays at multiple airports.

Air China’s Cancelled Flights Include:

• CCA1386: Guangzhou Baiyun Int’l (CAN / ZGGG) → Beijing Capital Int’l (PEK / ZBAA) – Mon 06:40 AM CST
• CCA1437: Beijing Capital Int’l (PEK / ZBAA) → Chongqing Jiangbei Int’l (CKG / ZUCK) – Mon 07:05 AM CST
• CCA1587: Beijing Capital Int’l (PEK / ZBAA) → Dashuipo (WEH / ZSWH) – Mon 07:10 AM CST
• CCA4407: Chengdu Shuangliu Int’l (CTU / ZUUU) → Qamdo Bangda (BPX / ZUBD) – Mon 07:20 AM CST
• CCA8591: Shanghai Pudong Int’l (PVG / ZSPD) → Chengdu Shuangliu Int’l (CTU / ZUUU) – Mon 07:40 AM CST
• CCA1591: Beijing Capital Int’l (PEK / ZBAA) → Yancheng (YNZ / ZSYN) – Mon 07:40 AM CST
• CCA4330: Shenzhen Bao’an Int’l (SZX / ZGSZ) → Chengdu Tianfu Int’l (TFU / ZUTF) – Mon 08:05 AM CST
• CCA2774: Zhengzhou Xinzheng Int’l (CGO / ZHCC) → Chengdu Tianfu Int’l (TFU / ZUTF) – Mon 08:20 AM CST
• CCA4184: Beijing Capital Int’l (PEK / ZBAA) → Chengdu Shuangliu Int’l (CTU / ZUUU) – Mon 09:10 AM CST
• CCA4369: Urumqi Diwopu Int’l (URC / ZWWW) → Guangzhou Baiyun Int’l (CAN / ZGGG) – Mon 09:20 AM CST
• CCA1588: Dashuipo (WEH / ZSWH) → Beijing Capital Int’l (PEK / ZBAA) – Mon 09:25 AM CST
• CCA4408: Qamdo Bangda (BPX / ZUBD) → Chengdu Shuangliu Int’l (CTU / ZUUU) – Mon 09:40 AM CST
• CCA1592: Yancheng (YNZ / ZSYN) → Beijing Capital Int’l (PEK / ZBAA) – Mon 10:00 AM CST
• CCA1207: Beijing Capital Int’l (PEK / ZBAA) → Lanzhou Zhongchuan International (LHW / ZLLL) – Mon 10:10 AM CST
• CCA4135: Chongqing Jiangbei Int’l (CKG / ZUCK) → Beijing Capital Int’l (PEK / ZBAA) – Mon 11:40 AM CST
• CCA4329: Chengdu Tianfu Int’l (TFU / ZUTF) → Shenzhen Bao’an Int’l (SZX / ZGSZ) – Mon 11:40 AM CST
• CCA1223: Beijing Capital Int’l (PEK / ZBAA) → Xi’an Xianyang Int’l (XIY / ZLXY) – Mon 12:20 PM CST
• CCA1517: Beijing Capital Int’l (PEK / ZBAA) → Shanghai Hongqiao Int’l (SHA / ZSSS) – Mon 01:40 PM CST
• CCA8594: Chengdu Shuangliu Int’l (CTU / ZUUU) → Shanghai Pudong Int’l (PVG / ZSPD) – Mon 01:45 PM CST
• CCA1559: Beijing Capital Int’l (PEK / ZBAA) → Penglai International (YNT / ZSYT) – Mon 01:45 PM CST

What Does This Mean for Air Travel?
These cancellations cover both domestic and international routes, putting a strain on major travel hubs like Beijing, Shanghai, and Chengdu. Passengers are advised to check flight status regularly and reach out to the airline for rescheduling or alternative options. These disruptions could cause a domino effect, where further delays are expected due to aircraft and crew shortages.

China Express Airlines: Flights Grounded – What’s Going On?

As one of China’s regional carriers, China Express has cancelled flights, sending shockwaves through its network. With connections to some of China’s lesser-served airports, these cancellations create major logistical problems for passengers.

List of Cancelled Flights by China Express:

HXA4590 – A321 – Qinhuangdao Beidaihe (BPE / ZBDH) → Xi’an Xianyang (XIY / ZLXY) – Fri 11:05 PM CST

HXA4769 – CRJ9 – Chongqing Jiangbei (CKG / ZUCK) → Liuzhou (LZH / ZGZH) – Sat 06:45 AM CST

HXA2807 – A320 – Chongqing Jiangbei (CKG / ZUCK) → Xuzhou (XUZ / ZSXZ) – Sat 06:50 AM CST

HXA4207 – CRJ9 – Guiyang Longdongbao (KWE / ZUGY) → Changde Taohuayuan (CGD / ZGCD) – Sat 07:10 AM CST

HXA4393 – A320 – Chengdu Tianfu (TFU / ZUTF) → Jining (JNG / ZSJG) – Sat 07:20 AM CST

HXA4033 – 909 – Chongqing Jiangbei (CKG / ZUCK) → Lanzhou Zhongchuan (LHW / ZLLL) – Sat 07:20 AM CST

HXA4585 – CRJ9 – Hami (HMI / ZWHM) → Shihezi Huayuan (SHF / ZWHZ) – Sat 08:20 AM CST

HXA4835 – CRJ9 – Korla (KRL / ZWKL) → Shihezi Huayuan (SHF / ZWHZ) – Sat 08:30 AM CST

HXA4312 – 909 – Kashgar (KHG / ZWSH) → Yutian Wanfang (YTW / ZWYT) – Sat 08:40 AM CST

HXA4337 – CRJ9 – Chongqing Jiangbei (CKG / ZUCK) → Yinchuan Helanshan (INC / ZLIC) – Sat 09:00 AM CST

HXA4769 (second listing) – CRJ9 – Liuzhou (LZH / ZGZH) → Qionghai Bo’ao (BAR / ZJQH) – Sat 09:05 AM CST

HXA4208 – CRJ9 – Changde Taohuayuan (CGD / ZGCD) → Guiyang Longdongbao (KWE / ZUGY) – Sat 09:05 AM CST

HXA2849 – CRJ9 – Ulanhot (HLH / ZBUL) → Arxan Yi’ershi (YIE / ZBES) – Sat 09:45 AM CST

HXA2808 – A320 – Xuzhou (XUZ / ZSXZ) → Chongqing Jiangbei (CKG / ZUCK) – Sat 09:45 AM CST

HXA4033 (second listing) – 909 – Lanzhou Zhongchuan (LHW / ZLLL) → Hami (HMI / ZWHM) – Sat 10:10 AM CST

HXA4647 – CRJ9 – Shihezi Huayuan (SHF / ZWHZ) → Alaer Talimu (ACF / ZWAL) – Sat 10:15 AM CST

HXA4394 – A320 – Jining (JNG / ZSJG) → Chengdu Tianfu (TFU / ZUTF) – Sat 10:30 AM CST

HXA4585 (second listing) – CRJ9 – Shihezi Huayuan (SHF / ZWHZ) → Yining (YIN / ZWYN) – Sat 10:30 AM CST

HXA4312 (second listing) – 909 – Yutian Wanfang (YTW / ZWYT) → Korla (KRL / ZWKL) – Sat 10:35 AM CST

HXA4495 – 909 – Yining (YIN / ZWYN) → Hami (HMI / ZWHM) – Sat 10:45 AM CST

Impact on Passengers
This series of cancellations affects regional connections the hardest, especially for passengers travelling to/from airports with limited flight availability. For these passengers, waiting for rebooking or arranging alternative transport is a significant inconvenience.

Sichuan Airlines, Shandong, Tibet & Shanghai Airlines – Widespread Disruptions

Shandong Airlines – flights cancelled

• CDG8707: Jinan Yaoqiang (TNA / ZSJN) → Yinchuan Helanshan (INC / ZLIC) – Mon 07:55 AM CST
• CDG8707: Yinchuan Helanshan (INC / ZLIC) → Urumqi Diwopu Int’l (URC / ZWWW) – Mon 11:00 AM CST
• CDG8708: Urumqi Diwopu Int’l (URC / ZWWW) → Yinchuan Helanshan (INC / ZLIC) – Mon 03:05 PM CST
• CDG8708: Yinchuan Helanshan (INC / ZLIC) → Jinan Yaoqiang (TNA / ZSJN) – Mon 06:50 PM CST
• CDG1196: Jinan Yaoqiang (TNA / ZSJN) → Dalian Zhoushuizi Int’l (DLC / ZYTL) – Mon 08:30 PM CST
• CDG8772: Dalian Zhoushuizi Int’l (DLC / ZYTL) → Jinan Yaoqiang (TNA / ZSJN) – Mon 10:40 PM CST

Tibet Airlines – flights cancelled

• TBA9807: Lhasa Gonggar (LXA / ZULS) → Ngari Gunsa (NGQ / ZUAL) – Tue 07:45 AM CST
• TBA9850: Qamdo Bangda (BPX / ZUBD) → Lhasa Gonggar (LXA / ZULS) – Tue 09:20 AM CST
• TBA9808: Ngari Gunsa (NGQ / ZUAL) → Lhasa Gonggar (LXA / ZULS) – Tue 10:30 AM CST

Sichuan Airlines – flights cancelled

• CSC8639: Chengdu Shuangliu (CTU / ZUUU) → Kangding (KGT / ZUKD) – Mon 08:05 AM CST
• CSC6693: Chengdu Tianfu (TFU / ZUTF) → Daocheng Yading (DCY / ZUDC) – Mon 08:55 AM CST
• CSC8640: Kangding (KGT / ZUKD) → Chengdu Shuangliu (CTU / ZUUU) – Mon 09:50 AM CST
• CSC6694: Daocheng Yading (DCY / ZUDC) → Chengdu Tianfu (TFU / ZUTF) – Mon 11:00 AM CST
• CSC6991: Chengdu Tianfu (TFU / ZUTF) → Shanghai Pudong (PVG / ZSPD) – Mon 01:10 PM CST
• CSC6992: Shanghai Pudong (PVG / ZSPD) → Chengdu Tianfu (TFU / ZUTF) – Mon 04:50 PM CST

Shanghai Airlines – flights cancelled

• CSH9468: Guiyang Longdongbao (KWE / ZUGY) → Shanghai Hongqiao (SHA / ZSSS) – Mon 08:10 AM CST
• CSH9078: Changchun Longjia (CGQ / ZYCC) → Shanghai Pudong (PVG / ZSPD) – Mon 09:00 AM CST
• CSH9069: Shanghai Pudong (PVG / ZSPD) → Changchun Longjia (CGQ / ZYCC) – Mon 01:00 PM CST
• CSH9467: Shanghai Hongqiao (SHA / ZSSS) → Guiyang Longdongbao (KWE / ZUGY) – Mon 07:20 PM CST

Airport Havoc: Why China’s Airports Are Overwhelmed

The wave of cancellations is causing massive crowding at major Chinese airports such as Beijing Capital (PEK), Shanghai Pudong (PVG), and Chengdu Shuangliu (CTU).
Here’s how the chaos is affecting airports:

• Longer Waits: With multiple flights grounded, passengers are facing delays in security, boarding, and baggage handling.
• Limited Rebooking Options: Passengers are being rerouted, but with limited space available on later flights, airports are seeing crowded terminals and frustrated customers.
• Increased Stress on Staff: Airline representatives and customer service teams are under immense pressure, leading to long wait times and potential service delays.

Why Are So Many Flights Being Cancelled

The reasons for the cancellations are varied but include:

• Operational Disruptions: Aircraft maintenance issues and crew shortages are major contributors.
• Weather Conditions: Unfavourable weather and visibility issues, particularly in mountainous regions (e.g., Tibet, Yunnan), have led airlines to cancel flights.
• Congestion at Major Airports: With overbooked flight schedules and limited gates, cancellations are being made to manage traffic flow and prevent further delays.
• Flight Crew Availability: In some cases, flights are being cancelled to comply with international flight safety regulations on crew work hours.

What Should Affected Passengers Do Now?

If you’ve been impacted by a flight cancellation:

• Check for Rebookings: Airlines should offer you a rebooking option on the next available flight, or a refund if you choose to cancel.
• Alternative Routes: Consider connecting flights with other carriers if your original airline cannot accommodate you.
• Stay Updated: Use the airline’s mobile app or website to track flight status in real-time, and stay connected with customer service.
• Flexibility is Key: With limited availability, being flexible with your travel times and routes could help you get home sooner.

Conclusion: Brace for Impact, But Stay Prepared

As China’s largest airlines struggle with cancellations, the aviation landscape has become unpredictable. Passengers must remain proactive, flexible, and patient while navigating these disruptions. Stay updated, monitor your flight status, and reach out to your airline for any necessary rebookings or refunds. China’s air travel system is under strain, and your best defence is staying informed and adaptable during these turbulent times.

Source: Different airports and FlightAware